Constipation among workers with depression/anxiety: a retrospective study using a claims database and survey data in Japan.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence, associated factors, treatment status and burden of constipation in workers with depression or anxiety.

Study Design: This was a retrospective observational study using a pre-existing database.

Setting: Claims data from October to November 2022 and data from the survey conducted in November 2022 were extracted from the database.

Structure-Activity Relationship Study of CYM51010, an agonist for the µ-δ Opioid Receptor Heterodimer.

Although opioid analgesics are indispensable in treating pain, these drugs are accompanied by life-threatening side effects. While clinically relevant opioid drugs target the µ opioid receptor (MOR), a heterodimer between the MOR and the δ opioid receptor (DOR) has emerged as another target to develop safer analgesics. Although some heterodimer-preferring agonists have been reported so far, it is still difficult to activate the MOR/DOR heterodimer selectively in the presence of MOR or DOR monomers/homodimers.

Potential drug-induced constipation: A retrospective study using a Japanese claims database.

Background And Aim: Detailed clinical information regarding drug-induced constipation (DIC) is limited. This study aimed to investigate the real-world situation of DIC.

Methods: This retrospective study used data from a Japanese claims database registered from 2014 to 2021.

Comparative profiles of lubiprostone, linaclotide, and elobixibat for chronic constipation: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis and number needed to treat/harm.

Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy, safety, patient symptoms, and quality-of-life (QoL) of lubiprostone, linaclotide, and elobixibat as treatment for chronic constipation (CC).

Design: Systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis (MA). Literature searches were conducted on PubMed and Embase using the Ovid platform.

Barriers to healthcare access in patients with chronic pain or potential migraine in Japan: a cross-sectional internet survey.

Purpose: Chronic pain and migraines often go untreated despite patient- and economic-related burdens (e.g., impaired quality of life and productivity).

Effectiveness and safety of lubiprostone after switching from stimulant laxatives in elderly patients with chronic constipation.

Background And Aim: Stimulant laxatives may cause electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, and abdominal pain; their long-term use can lead to tolerance and subsequent refractory constipation. We investigated the effectiveness, safety, and quality of life after switching from stimulant laxatives to lubiprostone in elderly patients with chronic constipation (CC).

Methods: This multicenter, interventional, open-label, single-arm, before-and-after comparison study enrolled 99 Japanese patients aged 65-90 years with CC who took stimulant laxatives for ≥2 weeks prior to switching to lubiprostone monotherapy.

Dietary therapy for patients with chronic pancreatitis in Japan: a cross-sectional online survey of physicians and registered dietitians.

Background: This study was aimed towards understanding the current status of dietary therapy for patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in Japan and its alignment with Japanese recommendations for high-fat intake and concomitant high-potency pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) by surveying treating physicians and registered dietitians.

Methods: The 19-item physicians' online questionnaire collected data about the number of patients with PEI treated, methods used to assess PEI and nutritional status in patients with PEI, as well as provision of dietary guidance and details of treatment with PERT. The 10-item registered dietitians' online questionnaire captured data about the provision of dietary guidance, including setting (inpatient or outpatient) and details of nutritional guidance provided to patients.

Therapeutic Potential of Orally Administered Rubiscolin-6.

Rubiscolins are naturally occurring opioid peptides derived from the enzymatic digestion of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase protein in spinach leaves. They are classified into two subtypes based on amino acid sequence, namely rubiscolin-5 and rubiscolin-6. In vitro studies have determined rubiscolins as G protein-biased delta-opioid receptor agonists, and in vivo studies have demonstrated that they exert several beneficial effects via the central nervous system.

Comparative effectiveness of early initiation of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oral acetaminophen therapies on the time to knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis in Japan.

Background: Although disease-modifying properties of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for osteoarthritis (OA) have been reported, the effects of NSAIDs on OA progression remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early initiation of oral NSAID therapy on the progression of knee OA.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data of patients newly diagnosed with knee OA between November 2007 and October 2018 from a Japanese claims database.

Efficacy of Combination Therapy with Pregabalin in Neuropathic Pain: A Preclinical Study in the Rat L5 Spinal Nerve Ligation Model.

Purpose: Neuropathic pain is sometimes difficult to manage because of limited efficacy of analgesic monotherapy even at high doses. Combination therapy may help address this issue, but there is little evidence for its effectiveness. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy with pregabalin, an anchor drug for treating neuropathic pain, using the rat L5 spinal nerve ligation model.

Evaluation of the Intracellular Signaling Activities of κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists, Nalfurafine Analogs; Focusing on the Selectivity of G-Protein- and β-Arrestin-Mediated Pathways.

Opioid receptors (ORs) are classified into three types (μ, δ, and κ), and opioid analgesics are mainly mediated by μOR activation; however, their use is sometimes restricted by unfavorable effects. The selective κOR agonist nalfurafine was initially developed as an analgesic, but its indication was changed because of the narrow safety margin. The activation of ORs mainly induces two intracellular signaling pathways: a G-protein-mediated pathway and a β-arrestin-mediated pathway.

The Use of a Network Analysis to Identify Associations and Temporal Patterns Among Non-communicable Diseases in Japan Based on a Large Medical Claims Database.

Background: Reducing the considerable non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in the aging Japanese population depends on better understanding of the comorbid and temporal relationships between different NCDs.

Objective: We aimed to identify associations between NCDs and temporal patterns of NCDs in Japan using data from a large medical claims database.

Methods: The study used three-digit International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for NCDs for employees and their dependents included in the MinaCare database, which covers the period since 2010.

Novel Opioid Analgesics for the Development of Transdermal Opioid Patches That Possess Morphine-Like Pharmacological Profiles Rather Than Fentanyl: Possible Opioid Switching Alternatives Among Patch Formula.

Background: Transdermal fentanyl is widely used in the treatment of severe pain because of convenience, safety, and stable blood concentrations. Nevertheless, patients often develop tolerance to fentanyl, necessitating the use of other opioids; transdermal buprenorphine patch is widely used as an analgesic agent, though available formulation does not provide comparable analgesic effect as transdermal fentanyl patch. Opioids bind to the opioid receptor (OR) to activate both G protein-mediated and β-arrestin-mediated pathways.

In Vitro Analyses of Spinach-Derived Opioid Peptides, Rubiscolins: Receptor Selectivity and Intracellular Activities through G Protein- and β-Arrestin-Mediated Pathways.

Activated opioid receptors transmit internal signals through two major pathways: the G-protein-mediated pathway, which exerts analgesia, and the β-arrestin-mediated pathway, which leads to unfavorable side effects. Hence, G-protein-biased opioid agonists are preferable as opioid analgesics. Rubiscolins, the spinach-derived naturally occurring opioid peptides, are selective δ opioid receptor agonists, and their p.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of branded and authorized generic celecoxib for patients with chronic pain in Japan.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the cost-effectiveness of branded and authorized generic (AG) celecoxib for chronic pain patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and low back pain (LBP), using real-world cost information for loxoprofen and pharmacotherapy for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods: This cost-effectiveness analysis was performed as a long-term simulation using the Markov model from the Japanese public healthcare payer's perspective. The analysis was conducted using loxoprofen with real-world weighted price by branded/generic distribution (hereinafter, loxoprofen with weighted price) as a comparator.

Insomnia and caregiver burden in chronic pain patients: A cross-sectional clinical study.

Insomnia is a major comorbid symptom of chronic pain and is likely to affect caregiver burden. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between insomnia in chronic pain patients and family caregiver burden. Participants were 60 patients with chronic pain of ≥3 months duration.

Association between change in self-efficacy and reduction in disability among patients with chronic pain.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether changes in psychosocial factors and pain severity were associated with reduction in disability due to pain among patients with chronic pain. We hypothesized that increased self-efficacy would reduce disability.

Patients And Methods: This longitudinal observational study included 72 patients.